1

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: System / Tactics / Personnel

« on: March 19, 2025, 01:36:19 PM »

1.  Sorry, should have been more explicit.  I meant playing Holgate at RB instead of Price and having a four of Holgate Diakite, Bartley and Heggem

I think Atomic still means having Diakite in a central two is very different.

And I agree - I thought Mowbray got this aspect of his team selection spot on.

Diakite produced a stellar performance at Burnley in a back three - however a lot of that good work was not necessarily down to his positional discipline but more so his ability to break forward and intercept possession.

Whilst there was sufficient cover at Burnley to cover any errors of judgement, that's not a luxary he can be afforded in a defensive pairing of two.  I think requiring that defensive discipline also negates some of his better attributes.

2

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: March 15, 2025, 08:51:19 AM »

and I really hope that TM's comments about targeting a win don't come back to bite him

If our manager cannot say we're targeting a win in a home game then we may aswell shut the football club down.

Mowbray, as he always is, was very complimentary of Hull and spoke about the different challenge they would possess in comparison to Burnley.

3

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mason Holgate joins on loan

« on: March 13, 2025, 02:21:13 PM »

I’ve been critical of Holgate this year but I’d have to say I thought he was superb 2nd half against QPR &

Was he? I thought he looked poor in the back four and only improved when Mowbray decided to go for a back five and drop Price to right back.

4

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Callum Styles

« on: March 12, 2025, 07:07:49 PM »

Just think we lose out down the left flank with him when we're attacking. He nearly always drifts inside. Ideally we need our left back to interchange with the left winger, able to get around his opposite back and sometimes hitting the by-line. Furlong is slightly better at that on the right side, though by no means perfect.

I don’t think this a reflection of Styles but more so the modern game in general. It’s been fairly common for full backs to tuck inside into midfield rather than going behind their wide man. It depends on what side we’re attacking really because if one pushes in then the other full back tucks in.

5

General Football & Sports / Re: Manchester United

« on: March 12, 2025, 08:06:10 AM »

Blimey Liam I didn't realise Manchester United were your 'second team'   

Far from it Frank 

Quite frankly, I despise them and watching their current demise has brought great pleasure 

6

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: John Swift

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:25:37 PM »

Agreed, he’s got plenty of criticism so only fair we praise him when he’s good. He was excellent in the first half. Pleased to see a bit more effort and industry from him rather than the languid style we’ve become accustomed too.

7

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Callum Styles

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:15:02 PM »

Yes thought he was ace too, that last ditch tackle was awesome.

Outstanding defending. Earned us a point.

8

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Ousmane Diakite

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:14:20 PM »

Another excellent display
What I like about him is he always looks for a forward pass
Definitely worth a longer contract, when is he contracted until.?

June 2026.

9

General Football & Sports / Re: OFFICIAL CHAMPIONSHIP THREAD

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:11:45 PM »

Bristol City with an equaliser at Sheffield Utd is the only blot on tonight.

10

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Mason Holgate joins on loan

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:09:53 PM »

I definitely prefer him in a back three or five that we saw at times tonight. He looks more comfortable too.

11

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tony Mowbray

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:08:40 PM »

Another better performance from Tony/us tonight. Seems all he needed was time and a run of games without too many fixtures in between.

That coaching time has proved invaluable.

We look a completely different side to the one at Plymouth shortly after his arrival.

To go to Leeds and Burnley and pick up two points away from home is a great return.

Credit to the players and coaching staff.

12

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Ousmane Diakite

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:07:07 PM »

I haven’t seen him play badly yet - looks a great addition and looks composed in a position he is unfamiliar with.

13

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: After Match Debate

« on: March 11, 2025, 10:06:08 PM »

Excellent point - we have to back this up on Saturday against Hull.

Diakite was excellent throughout - great contributions from Heggem, Holgate, Swift and Grant.

Frustrating that Burnley created one chance and our goalkeeper has fumbled it.

14

General Football & Sports / Re: Manchester United

« on: March 11, 2025, 08:51:53 PM »

The Government aren’t funding it so I’m not sure why knickers are in a twist.

Man United are clearly going to pay for the ground and the Government will contribute to investment and travel projects in the vicinity of the area. It is already earmarked to create 90,000 jobs and will help bring private investment into the area.

Like it or not, they’re an institution in England, as iconic as Parliament, Big Ben and Buckingham Palace so such investment schemes warrant Govt backing.

15

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Adam Armstrong (on loan from Southampton)

« on: March 11, 2025, 08:43:12 PM »

He should be burying that chance really. That’s what he’s here for.

16

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: In Game Chat

« on: March 11, 2025, 08:40:10 PM »

Swift and Diakite have been excellent.

Aside from the howler from the keeper that’s been an excellent half really.

17

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: March 11, 2025, 07:17:08 PM »

Looks like a squad that’s ravaged with illness 

18

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Brummie/Halfords Lane exit points

« on: March 11, 2025, 12:41:23 PM »

It can be a real pain when those gates are closed. I'd like to know what time they reopen them after games though because they were definitely open when we got there post match from the Smethwick on Saturday and walked across the car park.

I think they reopened them because supporters at that point were getting quite aggy as when I walked past both gates across that Greggs car park were definitely closed. They were initially pointing supporters towards where the bottle necking was occurring.

19

Albion Matchday Forum / Re: Pre Match Chat

« on: March 11, 2025, 07:44:58 AM »

JM is not suspended. He could have been sent off on Saturday but that’s another story.

I would be half tempted to drop Molumby for Diakite.

He’s a walking yellow card and I’d rather not lose him for two matches.

20

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Daryl Dike

« on: March 11, 2025, 07:43:38 AM »

Apart from one header, I'm not sure that he troubled the QPR defence very much - not as much as BTA would have.  Thing is with Dike, his physique speaks of potential but the reality is quite disappointing.

I said at the time that I would rather have seen Lankshear as I was slightly concerned whether Dike was match fit enough for what we needed. I do agree with Dan that it was a committed contribution and he got through unscathed.

21

West Bromwich Albion FC / Brummie/Halfords Lane exit points

« on: March 11, 2025, 07:37:20 AM »

This has become a particular gripe of mine in recent seasons but Saturday felt like the final straw.

Can someone explain why supporters from the Brummie and Halfords are being forced down a narrow pavement whilst the whole road remains blocked off?

We’re pushing thousands of people into a tiny gap from both sides which is causing bottle necking. Some supporters then decided to push fellow fans through the gap which caused greater problems given disabled and young people are also pushed through the gap.

I was told that a terrorism threat is the reason why those steel gates cannot be opened. I am sorry, but that is quite frankly the most absurd thing I’ve ever heard. A terrorist may be prevented from driving down the Halfords lane but the thousands walking down the Brummie Road are fair game.

Can someone on the AA raise this issue with the club because I am interested to hear their response.

22

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Joe Wildsmith

« on: March 09, 2025, 09:29:47 PM »

Excellent use of the dark arts yesterday.

Go down on the floor and receive treatment to allow Heggem to go off the pitch and get some treatment.

When Heggem arrives back onto the pitch all bandaged up, style put the move by putting the gloves back on slowly 

23

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tammer Bany

« on: March 09, 2025, 09:26:28 PM »

After a promising cameo he hasn't had a sniff. I imagine he won't see much game time v Burnley either. Think at home he's worth a go in the number 10 role

Had we not gone down to ten men then I think we may have saw him yesterday. As it happened it was a game for soldiers rather artists.

24

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Tom Fellows

« on: March 09, 2025, 09:25:25 PM »

That's all fair comment Stan. I'm just highlighting that we would have to adapt to losing a lot of creativity and goal chances, and of the likely replacements currently at the club,
I can't see who would compensate.

It’s not really a point of concern - several of those players you worry about as replacements will also be leaving in the summer.

Squads evolve, our will continue that process in the summer.

25

West Bromwich Albion FC / Re: Isaac Price

« on: March 09, 2025, 10:01:09 AM »

Fantastic yesterday - what a signing this lad will prove to be.